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Can Hilary be a knockout success?
Hilary S**** stars in Clint Eastwood's film as Maggie Fitzgerald, a blue-collar woman who believes she can make it to the top in the female boxing ranks. Much against his will, she persuades ageing trainer Frankie Dunn (Eastwood) to take her on, and with his sidekick Eddie "Scrap-Iron" Dupris (Morgan Freeman), he takes her to the top and a title fight. Which is when the film takes a very different turn and Dunn faces guilt and doubts that conflict with his strict Catholic beliefs.

Paul Haggis's script is adapted from a story by 70-year-old trainer Jerry Boyd, and the dialogue reflects the sport: punchy but occasionally poetic, with few words wasted (although an exchange between Dunn and Dupris on the subject of socks is priceless). But the characters are superbly delineated, particularly S**** as a waitress facing a bleak, mundane life if she can't box.

The film's turning point is sudden, but what follows refuses to become bathetic as the characters must face up to a new challenge: one more punishing than anything found inside the ropes. It was no surprise when S**** and Freeman won Oscars for their performances, Eastwood for best director and the film for best picture.

Did you know? Clint Eastwood was the only nominee for the Best Actor Oscar in 2005 to play a fictitious character. All four of the other nominees portrayed real people in their respective films.

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FILM: Million Dollar Baby, Channel 4 at 21:15 on Sunday 3rd February 2008

Hilary S**** stars in Clint Eastwood's film as Maggie Fitzgerald, a blue-collar woman who believes she can make it to the top in the female boxing ranks. Much against his will, she persuades ageing trainer Frankie Dunn to take her on, and with his sidekick Eddie "Scrap-Iron" Dupris, he takes her to the top and a title fight.
(Premiere, Widescreen, Subtitles, Audio Described)

Director: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Hilary S****, Morgan Freeman, Jay Baruchel, Mike Colter, Lucia Rijker